Crayton & Hurd On The Outs?

There is no secret that there is a lot of competition at the wide receiver spot in Dallas. You have last year’s breakout player Miles Austin, you have the cash eating Roy Williams, and then you have your number one pick in this year’s draft Dez Bryant. After those guys, things get a little dicey. Veterans Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd are trying to fight with guys like Kevin Ogletree, Jesse Holley, and Manny Johnson. The problem is if your veterans aren’t standing out above the pack, their salary becomes a hinderance. That is the position that Crayton and Hurd find themselves in. They are solid receivers, not spectacular, but solid; but they also have heavy veteran salaries which just might be their undoing.

While Holley and Johnson have not really stood out on a consistent basis, both players have been good special teams performers and from a 4th – 6th wideout position, that is what you want. While both Hurd and Crayton have had their moments on special teams, they both cost a lot of money for just special teams work. They both understand that football is also a business and therefore they might be the odd ones out.

Both players are attractive to other teams and as of today, dallascowobys.com reporter Rob Phillips is saying:

“Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are exploring trade possibilities involving multiple teams and more than one player as Saturday’s final roster cuts loom. Jones did not name specific players and declined to say whether draft picks would be desired compensation. Asked if a trade was probable or merely possible, Jones said, ‘Possible, but very real.'”

One would have to think those players would include Crayton and Hurd. With Crayton expected to make $2 million and Hurd approximately $1.8 million, the Cowboys might look to deal them off and roll the dice on some of their younger guys.

The Cowboys also have a lot of depth at linebacker and instead of cutting some of it, they might try to see if they can get anything for them. Players like Brandon Sharpe and Leon Williams, who have both played well this preseason, are likely on the chopping block and the Cowboys might look to parlay them into some low level draft picks or even some good young players in return.

As Saturday’s cuts loom large, there is a lot of things that could develop.